"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus." Hebrews 12:1
Dear friends,
This past Sunday was unusual for me, as I was not in church; at least not in a church building. I was in California with my son and his family to support them as they ran in the Monterey Bay Half-Marathon. It is a spectacularly beautiful course along the waterfront and there are sea lions, seals, whale sightings, and choirs of birds all around. On Sunday, I joined a crowd of human witnesses who came together to cheer the runners and enjoy the beauty of the scenery and simply to be together in the simple, yet challenging act of putting one foot in front of the other.
Just days after one of the most contentious elections in living memory, thousands of runners and thousands more family and friends, neighbors and dog walkers, young and old, were out in the morning mist to support one another. There were no political signs, no hats, no rudeness, nothing but shouts of ‘you’ve got this!’ and signs saying ‘ we love you Mom!’ and ‘run like the wind!’ Strangers were chatting with one another, telling stories, holding each other's coffee or water bottle, or helping each other across a busy street. I actually wept several times over the course of the morning, as my friends and I moved to see “our” kids go by at the halfway point, the turn, and the finish line. “More of THIS” I heard the Spirit say to my heart….”More Love, more cooperation, more care, more humanity.” It turns out I was in church last Sunday after all. For those are the Gospel messages we have all the time…more Love, more cooperation, more compassion, more love for God and neighbor.
Each week when we gather in this place, our beloved Trinity Church, we affirm our commitment to run the race set before us – to be people of faith, who follow a God who loves mercy and justice and who is ever compassionate and forgiving of us in our sinful, human nature. In the Eucharist we are gathered by Christ into One Body – a unity we find impossible to do on our own. When we serve our neighbors through our multiple ministry partners, the whole of our efforts is much greater than what we can do individually. The church matters, not as an ‘institution’ but as a reality of God’s love and a reality of hope for unity and truth when we gather as Christ’s Body throughout time.
We gather here as part of that ‘great cloud of witnesses’ who have come before us; those whose prayers still ring out around us; their prayers, their ministries, their gifts to Trinity making it possible for us to gather. Now it is our turn to share what we have, to support the ministry we share now in this place and time. We must ‘run the race’ we have been given; boldly, generously, with courage and faith, love and compassion. It takes each of us showing up with our prayers, our presence and participation, and with our financial commitment. What you enjoy and value about our worship services, music program, formation for all ages, attentive pastoral care, fellowship, our beautiful buildings and grounds and the work we do in the world are funded by all of us every year. When you make your pledge to Trinity you are joining in the ‘race.’ We need everyone to be a participant and an encourager for one another. Are you in?
Sunday we will celebrate “In-Gathering Sunday.” This is the day to bring your pledge card if you have not already made a pledge by mail or on-line. We will collect the remaining cards and bless them at the altar. The vestry will then base the 2025 operating budget on the amount of money we have pledged from all of us.
In today’s fractious world, the church has an opportunity to be a place of unified hope, as we proclaim God’s love each week. Please do your part to fund Trinity’s common life so we can continue to shine that beacon of hope brightly each day. Thank you for joining in the race, and running with perseverance and hope each day! I look forward to seeing you Sunday morning.
Your sister in Christ,
Nancy+
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